Francis R. Gorst
September 17, 1934 - August 05, 2020
Obituary
CROSS PLAINS - Francis R. Gorst, age 85, of Cross Plains, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on Sept. 17, 1934, the son of Harold and Beulah (Farr) Gorst. Francis graduated from Middleton High School in 1952. He married Patricia Ann O'Neill on Oct. 17, 1953, in Oregon. Francis retired as a custodian from the Middleton School District.
Passionate about youth baseball, Francis founded Cross Plains Babe Ruth Baseball in 1963. Since then, he has held the titles of state commissioner, league commissioner, league treasurer, and coach. He was inducted into the Babe Ruth and Ohio Valley Regional Halls of Fame. He was active in the Home Talent League as a player, coach and umpire. Francis spent countless hours donating his time for the baseball program in Cross Plains. He positively influenced the lives of many young men. When not at a baseball diamond himself, Francis enjoyed cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and spending time with his family.
Francis is survived by his children, Ann (Glen) Wayer, Mike (Luanne) Gorst and Mary Ellen (David) Richmond; daughter-in-law, Kim Schaffer-Gorst; grandchildren, Kelly, Erin, Rebecca, Kristin, Scott, Jennifer, Amanda, Ali, Luke and Kyle; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Roger (Mary Kay) Gorst and Margaret (Todd) Mason; and extended family, Elizabeth (Joseph) LaBella, Thomas (Rita) O’Neill and Joanne Topham. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; son, James; parents; stepfather, Bernard “Buddy” Schroeder; and brother, Ronald.
A private family Mass of Christian burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. Friends and family who wish to view the Mass via LIVE STREAM may visit www.sfxcrossplains.org. Burial will take place in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the family for donations to be made in Francis' name to different community organizations. The family would like to thank Dr. Brogunier, Lisa Mahoney, and Agrace HospiceCare for their kind and compassionate care. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Dad, we love you; you will be missed.
Gunderson Cross Plains
Funeral & Cremation Care
2421 Church St.
(608) 798-3141
Events
Mass of Christian Burial
Wed Aug 12, 2020 @ 11:00 AM CDT
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (Cross Plains) • 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, WI 53528
Photos
No photos of Francis have been shared yet.
Memories
K
Karen
Other •
To the Gorst family, my sincere condolences to you. We loved your father, thought that he was so cool that we called him Fonz. He looked after me and two others from CP at Kromery middle school. Fonz was our umpire for our softball games at Baer Park. Being a catcher, he and I had a bond like no other. His heart was full of love, and I am already missing him. RIP Fonz, forever cool.
MR
Margie Andreas Rem
Other •
I have many fond memories made playing at the Gorst house. Fran and Pat put up with all the neighborhood kids playing in their yard. I wish the whole family peace at this difficult time. Margie Andreas Rem
MC
Michael Cleary
Other •
Francis was a big part of my youth baseball experience. He was always willing to help my dad as we started playing in Pine Bluff and eventually started the Mount Horeb program. I’m very appreciative of all that he did for youth baseball programs in the area. I’m sorry for your loss and wish you all well as you celebrate this really remarkable man.
MF
Michael Frank
Other •
For anyone gifted enough to play baseball for Fran in our youth, every single ball field a small town Norman Rockwell painting in the 60's, he was like having a second Dad in the dugout. My condolences to Fran's family and friends. Mike Frank
DE
Debra S. Nicholson Elvidge
Other •
Francis was our head custodian at Sauk Trail School and such an important part of our Sauk Trail Family. I think I can safely say we all loved him dearly. When I took my children with me to work in my classroom, Francis would give them each a cookie or buy them a soda. That was a big deal to them, and I so appreciated his caring attention to my kids who were growing up without a dad. He warmed our hearts. RIP,, Francis. --Deb Nicholson Elvidge
CC
Christine Cannon
Other •
Francis was far more than a custodian at Sauk Trail School. To the students, he was a friend, teacher, medic (saved a child in the lunchroom by giving the Heimlich Maneuver ) and even a little bit parent. To the staff, he was the best fix-it man, a real lifesaver, a true friend and an equal. I will always remember my first winter at Sauk Trail, I left school for the day with arms loaded, finding my car totally cleared of snow. Yes, Francis would go out and clean teachers cars off so that they could get in and go home. Certainly was not in his job description but from his heart. Truly a caring human being.
I will always remember Francis with fondness. May you, as his family, find peace knowing all that he did for others in his work environment.
Prayers
Christine Lederer Cannon